(CNS): The extended celebration of Olympic Day has ended, with various national federations taking part to offer events in a wide variety of sports. From 20-28 June, Cayman was treated to exhibitions and competitions in everything from golf to swimming to boxing, all to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games on 23 June 1894 at the Sorbonne in Paris.

Hosted by the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee (CIOC), national sports federations held various events over the course of the eight days to attract more athletes and spectators to this great celebration of sport.

The celebration teed off with a short-hole challenge organised by the Cayman Islands Golf Association, and sessions hosted by the Cayman Islands Tae Kwon Do Association to learn more about the Korean martial art. Gymnastics was featured at a summer extravaganza, which showcased routines by national team members, including Morgan Lloyd, who will be competing at the Pan American Games, and Sami Peene, Raegan Rutty and Igor Magalhaes, who will join her at the Inter-Island Games in Ynys Mon later this month.

As the week progressed, federations held cycling, sailing, swimming and rugby competitions. A highlight of the event hosted by the Cayman Islands Sailing Association was a dedication of plaques listing all of the Caymanians who have sailed in both the Olympic Games and Youth Olympics Games. John Bodden, participant at both the 1984 Los Angeles and 1992 Barcelona Olympics, presented the award medallions to the winners of the “Olympic Day All Comers” race held at the Cayman Islands Sailing Club.

Participants in the rugby tournament

About 250 boys and girls, from years four, five and six, took part in the 6v6 tournament at the South Sound Rugby Club, with Cayman Prep taking the boys competition and Prospect Primary School’s girls winning their event.

The final weekend was filled with sports, starting with the annual Olympic Day 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, 27 June, in which 185 people participated. The day continued with more swimming, followed by squash, volleyball and, finally, boxing, which featured an international match between Caymanian Olympic hopeful Tafari Ebanks and Fernando Marrero of Florida. Tafari won by unanimous decision. There were three other bouts plus four exhibitions, including a face-off between female boxers Chambria Dalhouse and Hepseba Angel.

The Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation held the 2015 FBVC Volleyball League Finals for both men and women, offering free admission to spectators in the spirit of the Olympic Day celebrations.

On the last day, the cycling association held its second event, the Cayman Cycling Championships, with men’s elite (58 miles), master’s women (38 miles) and juniors (19 miles) categories. At the same time, the Cayman Islands Equestrian Federation hosted its Olympic Day Handy Jumper, designed for riders of all abilities; competitors ranged from ages 5-18.

The CIOC is looking to host an even larger celebration next year and get more people involved in the Olympic movement.

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